BHS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield BHS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. In most cases, "determinants" in the definition of epidemiology means: → Causes, Risk factors, Sources, Agents
2. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight is most strongly associated with which environmental health outcome? → Melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers
3. A randomized trial is described as double-blind. This means: → Neither the participants nor the outcome assessors know the treatment assignment
4. What do the phrases "gain awareness, gain knowledge, build life skills" refer to in relation to health? → Steps to meet health goals
5. A high fiber diet does not prevent which of the following? → helps prevent constipation
6. A patient with penicillin allergy is at increased risk of allergic reaction to which other antibiotic class? → Cephalosporins
7. List three examples of healthy foods. → vegetables-fruits-bread
8. Which structure in the inner ear is responsible for detecting linear acceleration and gravity? → Otolithic organs (utricle and saccule)
9. Anything in a person's ______ , both physical and social, that has the potential to affect their health → Environment
10. Which theoretical model proposes that stress results from an imbalance between perceived demands and perceived resources? → Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model
11. The 'nocebo effect' in health psychology refers to: → Worsening of symptoms due to expectation of harm or side effects
12. A patient develops a sudden drop in blood pressure when combining two antihypertensive medications. This is an example of: → A synergistic drug-drug interaction causing additive hypotension
13. The process by which concentrations of a contaminant increase in organisms at successively higher trophic levels of the food chain is called: → Biomagnification
14. The secondary attack rate (SAR) in a household outbreak measures: → New cases among susceptible contacts exposed to a primary case
15. Which type of dietary fiber has been most strongly associated with reducing LDL cholesterol by binding bile acids in the gut? → Soluble viscous fiber (e.g., beta-glucan, pectin)
16. The reticulospinal tract is classified as part of the: → Medial motor system
17. Which structure connects the hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary gland? → Infundibulum
18. Which of these does not have apocrine sweat glands? → Fingers
19. A dose-response relationship between an exposure and disease outcome is considered evidence of: → Causal association
20. Which US program provides free or low-cost vaccines to children through age 18 who are uninsured or underinsured? → Vaccines for Children (VFC) program
21. In the US, most deaths in 1900 were caused by _____, but most deaths today are caused by_________? → Infectious diseases...chronic diseases
22. Which dietary pattern is most strongly associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in U.S. adults? → Mediterranean-style diet
23. The primary function of the large intestine is: → Water and electrolyte absorption
24. How happy and content you are with yourself, other people, and your environment → Mental health
25. What nutrient is obtained from plant sources and is broken down into starches and sugars? → Carbohydrates
26. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is PRIMARILY designed to: → Increase present-moment awareness to reduce psychological distress
27. The Cori cycle describes the metabolic relationship between which two organs? → Liver and skeletal muscle
28. What does 'bioavailability' mean in pharmacology? → The fraction of an administered dose that reaches systemic circulation in unchanged form
29. A patient with phenylketonuria (PKU) must severely restrict intake of which amino acid to prevent neurological damage? → Phenylalanine
30. Primary prevention strategies are aimed at: → Preventing disease before it occurs